10. Lark

Chapter ten

Lark

K at walks me back to my car, stopping on the sidewalk before saying, “We should do this again sometime. It was really nice.”

“Definitely, without the miscommunication trope though.”

She snorts at that. “Are you a reader?”

I laugh. “Most definitely, but strictly romance. Full transparency, you aren’t learning all the secrets of the world in any of my books.”

She muffles her laughter with a hand pressed to her mouth. “Alessandro’s mom actually hosts a book club every month. She calls it ‘Always Smutty In Philadelphia.’” My eyes bulge at that. If I were eating or drinking, I’d be choking right now. “Yeah, I know.” She rolls her eyes. “It took some getting used to, especially when her daughter referred to her and her mother as ‘smut sluts.’ I thought I was hallucinating.”

I release a loud snort. “That’s incredible. She sounds like a freaking icon.”

“Oh, she most definitely is. This is a woman who told me that if she could go back in time, she’d be the one to coin the term ‘cunt.’ She’s made it her personal mission to ‘bring back cunt,’ so she uses it as often as possible. We’ve considered leaving her at home, but she definitely wouldn’t have that either,” Kat says with a low chuckle.

“Bring back the word cunt.” I breathe in disbelief. “I don’t think I’ve ever loved anyone more than I do at this moment.”

“Gloria De Laurentiis is a force to be reckoned with, but she’s also the kindest person I’ve ever known. She’ll love you. Come to book club next weekend? You don’t even need to read the book. We can fill you in and try again next month.”

“What day is it?” I ask, genuinely hoping I can make it.

“Saturday night. We usually start around six.”

I frown. “I’d really love to, but I actually have a book club with my best friends that night.”

“Any chance they’d want to combine the festivities? We could talk about both books and all start the same one next month if they’re into it?”

I mull that over for a moment. I think they’d actually really like that. “You know, I’ll ask. I think they might enjoy it. Plus, Madison is on her way to being the next Gloria, so she may as well learn directly from the source. They both sound like the same type of people.”

She gives me a broad smile. “Perfect. Text me when you get home safely, please, and let me know about next weekend when you get a chance. ”

“Will do.” I smile as I climb into the vintage Firebird.

***

I pull into the parking lot, turn off the engine, and search the lot. Tyler still isn’t home, and I haven’t heard a single word from him all day.

Heading inside, I shoot off a text to Kat, letting her know I got back home safely before leashing up the dogs for a walk.

When we get back inside, I flop back down on the worn beige couch, opening my texts to my group chat.

You guys remember how I told you all about Gianni De Laurentiis?

Madison

This is about to get good besties. Strap in tight!

Kira

Of course we remember. Get to the fucking punchline bitch.

Kira

Please… hehe

Jade

Yes, we remember. New developments?

I was wrong.

About everything.

Kira

Stop speaking in riddles. Explain.

You’re a real cunt, ya know that?

Madison

CUNT! Viva La Cunt Revelucion!!!

Kira

Jesus Christ, you bitches give me a damn headache. That word is revolting.

Madison

That’s the point… Revolt… Revolution…

Kira

You aren’t clever.

Madison

What? It’s the best word in the English dictionary, and I think we should stop criminalizing it.

Kira

Moving on…

Okay, okay!

Hold on to your panties ladies !

Kira

I’m impatiently waiting…

Okay, so he is NOT dating Kat, the woman that I met at Rocket Dog.

Jade

Well, obviously not babe. That’s Alessandro De Laurentiis’s girlfriend. Where was I when we spoke about this?

Jade

I’m suddenly feeling rather guilty for skimming the last two weeks of messages and not actually paying attention… I have a feeling that whatever you’re about to share is probably something I could’ve prevented… oops.

Good Lord Jade!!!

Kira

Oh, fuck you Jade!

Madison

JADE!!! How could you!?

Everyone just shut up so I can give you the details!

As Jade just enlightened us, she is NOT with Gianni.

She is, however, in a book club run by Gianni’s mom and she asked if we’d join them on Saturday!

Apparently the group is called “Always Smutty In Philadelphia” and Gloria is single-handedly trying to bring back the word “cunt.”

Madison

This woman sounds like my new idol. I’m in.

Kira

Sounds good to me!

Jade

Ooh! So fun!!!

Jade

Okay, sorry for the topic change… but are you leaving Tyler yet?

Kira

Jade! Didn’t we talk about this? When you’re going to say something that may be potentially hurtful, you need to run it by one of us first .

Jade

Sorry! Neurodivergence has entered the chat.

Jade

Did I hurt your feelings, Lark?

Jade’s inability to read the room has always been a topic of discussion among our group, but we know she genuinely doesn’t mean anything by it. She just processes information differently, and that’s totally okay.

Frankly, I appreciate how blunt she is. I never have to guess what she’s thinking or how she’s feeling. It’s refreshing.

No worries, Jade. I was just talking about this with Kat tonight, actually.

Not breaking up, but I’m just processing a lot.

Madison

Not to be a Debbie downer, but Jade’s right. You really need to leave him, babe. He’s not good for you and I’m not even convinced you guys like each other anymore.

The reality of that hits home in a way I hadn’t anticipated. I’m not sure when it happened, but I think if I’m honest with myself, I’ve been just barely tolerating him for quite some time now. 1

Madison

Kira… you’re awfully fucking quiet.

Kira

My momma told me that if I don’t have anything nice to say, not to say it at all.

I snort at that.

Madison

You’re a fucking liar, and your ‘momma’ is the cuntiest cunt that ever did cunt. So try again.

Kira

Goddamn, kitty’s got claws tonight, huh?

Can we stop this already? You guys realize you’re in your thirties or about to be?!?!

I haven’t figured out what I’m going to do yet, okay? But when I decide, you’ll be the first to know.

Jade

Any one of us in particular?

Madison

Jade… She meant the group chat lol. I know damn well that you knew that. Stop being a tyrant and go to bed. I love you ladies !

Kira

Love you, night!

Jade

Love you, goodnight.

Love you guys, goodnight!

God, even they want me to break up with him.

Suddenly, I’ve got a boulder sitting in the pit of my stomach, and I’m not sure I’m strong enough to lift it.

1. Misery Business – Paramore